KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Jennifer Canfield/KMXTLocal insurance agent Ed Randolph is taking part in what’s slated to be Rotary International’s final push in eradicating polio in Ethiopia. He isn’t a Rotarian, but his good friend, Ezra Teshome who lives in Seattle, is. Teshome is also from Ethiopia and met Randolph years ago working for the same insurance company. Randolph says he’s wanted to take the trip for a long time.
Randolph will traveling with six other Rotarians from Washington. His wife, a Rotarian in Fairbanks, will also be on the trip. They will arrive in Addis Ababa on Saturday and then travel to an area near the Sudan border where they will spend six days administering polio vaccinations.
Teshome is well-known for his efforts in eradicating polio in Ethiopia. He was named one of Time Magazine’s Heroes of World Health in 2005. Through Teshome the group will get to meet and spend time with the president of Ethiopia
The state department currently advises against travel to the country but Randolph isn’t worried about their safety.
After their time in Ethiopia, Randolph and his wife will travel to Kenya for five days before returning to Alaska.
